Mission and objectivesUNESCO is the UN specialized agency building peace in the minds of people through education, the sciences, culture, communication and information. Our mission is to foster intercultural dialogue and sustainable development, by promoting the free flow of ideas. By adopting a multi-disciplinary and inclusive approach, UNESCO works with both duty-bearers and rights-holders across the world to develop and implement targeted actions that are born out of local needs, which ensures a holistic and results-based approach for sustain-able change. The UNESCO Office in Beijing was established in 1984, and it is now representing UNESCO in the North-East Asian countries (Democratic Peopleโs Republic of Korea, Japan, Mongolia, the Peopleโs Republic of China and the Republic of Korea) in all five programmes (Education, Natural Sciences, Social and Human Sciences, Culture, Communication and Information). Altogether, these countries encompass about 1/5 of the worldโs population, around 25% of global economic output, and over 5,000 years of rich history and culture.
ContextUNESCO is the UN specialized agency building peace in the minds of people through education, the sciences, culture, communication and information. Our mission is to foster intercultural dialogue and sustainable development, by promoting the free flow of ideas. By adopting a multi-disciplinary and inclusive approach, UNESCO works with both duty-bearers and rights-holders across the world to develop and implement targeted actions that are born out of local needs, which ensures a holistic and results-based approach for sustainable change. The UNESCO Office in Beijing was established in 1984, and it is now representing UNESCO in the North-East Asian countries (Democratic Peopleโs Republic of Korea, Japan, Mongolia, the Peopleโs Republic of China and the Republic of Korea) in all five programmes (Education, Natural Sciences, Social and Human Sciences, Culture, Communication and Information). Altogether, these countries encompass about 1/5 of the worldโs population, around 25% of global economic output, and over 5,000 years of rich history and culture.
Task DescriptionUnder the direct supervision of Programme Specialist for Social and Human Sciences, the National UN Youth Volunteer will: โข Assist in researching and drafting papers, reports, speeches, social media content, and presentations with a view to the implementation of social and human science (SHS) projects and activities to achieve notably SDG 5, SDG 10, SDG 11 and SDG 16 related to: youth engagement, youth empowerment, social transformation, social inclusion of persons with disabilities, gender equality, bioethics, ethics, social impacts of climate change, sport for peace and development, intercultural dialogue, ethical aspects of artificial intelligence, and inequality reduction within and among countries etc.; โข Assist in the coordination and implementation of programme and project activities and provide administrative support, including the preparation of contracts, monitor and prepare payments, communicate and follow up with project partners to ensure smooth implementation of contractual activities; โข Assist with drafting, translating and proofreading of project documents and reports; โข Assist in the coordination and organization of project-related events and meetings; โข Undertake any other tasks as assigned by the supervisor. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: โข Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); โข Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; โข Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities. โข Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; โข Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; โข Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.
Competencies and valuesโข Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNESCO; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNESCO procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; โข Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNESCO in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organizationโs interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; โข Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; โข Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. โข Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; โข Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; โข Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; โข Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNESCOโs mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.
Living conditions and remarksThe duty station of the national UN Volunteer is located in Beijing city, where modest public infra-structure and health services are available. It is the foremost political and cultural metropolis in China. The city has excellent health services available. In general, rent for apartments in central locations is high relative to other regions in China, but quality is good. Beijing is well served by many shopping malls, large supermarket chains and international brands. Buses and subways are the most common form of mass transportation. Metered taxis are widely available and domestic and regional travel by train and airplane is popular. You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos